The University
Located in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley, Western Oregon University (WOU) is a mid-sized liberal arts university of approximately 5,000 students. Offering exceptional undergraduate programs in more than 30 majors, including several pre-professional programs, WOU also offers high quality graduate programs. WOU welcomes international students and the richness in diversity that they bring to our campus. Seventy-five full-time international students representing more than 20 different countries, including Ghana, Japan, Ecuador, and France to name a few, study, work and play on the WOU campus. 35 short-term ESL students are a part of our campus family. International students report enjoy studying here because they feel comfortable with the friendly small town atmosphere, the ease of getting involved in campus life, the welcome feeling from the local community, and the close proximity to nearby attractions. (from WOU web site)
Students Reaching Beyond the Classroom
Many Western Oregon University students are deeply engaged in “Service Learning” - a program where students and community partners work together to enhance learning opportunities which serve to enrich both the students’ experiences and the community alike. One such Service Learning project has resulted in the creation of a foundation to assist unemployed, disabled, and underserved populations in Vietnam, including a large population of lepers. Under the direction of WOU Professor Jerry Braza, Ph.D., and community partner Tuan Nguyen, students are working in partnership with what is now known as "The Forgotten People Foundation".
Students involved in this Foundation project are engaged in an exciting variety of activities which include web page development, creation of a methodology to assess the needs of the people, grant proposals, and marketing strategies such as DVD's and Power Point presentations, to create awareness for those individuals in such dire life circumstances. The most telling result of the students' research and activities is a heightened awareness and deeper understanding of the conditions which lead to poverty, illness, and isolation. In the process students are discovering more about themselves and how they can best serve others. In keeping with the words of Gandhi, "WE MUST BE THE CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD", these students are learning that one person can indeed make a change in the lives of many, and, consequently, become the change they are attempting to create in the world.
Western Oregon University Representatives involved with the Forgotten People Foundation past and present:
The following students visited Vietnam in 2007:
- Anna Ryan (student leader)
- Stormee Anderson
- Stephanie Upshaw
- Alicia Vandervelden
- Tracy Crockett
The following students are visiting in 2008:
- Abigail Nilsen (student co-leader)
- Keely Beach (student co-leader)
- Katrina Sangster
- Chelsea Pfund
- Ellen Yliniemi
- Kimberly Flora
- Molly Brady
- Kendra Bebout
- Kelsii Dana
- Tara Halligan
Students who have supported the Vietnam Project:
- Diana Blomster
- Brennan Donnelly
- MaLeah Schmidt
- Tasha Burlison
- Sydney Ewing
- Austin Haag
- Megan VanderPlaat
- Mollie Brady
- Stephanie Sherman
- Nikole Allen
- Shelby Self
- Tony Monzon
- Korey Kanaeholo
- Renee Miller
- Michell Weller
- Jacqueline Beck
- Terheanna Ehret-Marquez
- Jared Hicks
- Halley Moore
- Molly Brady
- Nikole Allen
- Stehpanie Sherman
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